Newark, N.J. -- The Browns passed on Jets quarterback Geno Smith with their No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft, and there are at least 21 reasons to suggest they made the right decision.

But Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who worked for Browns CEO Joe Banner in Philadelphia for a decade, is still high on Smith despite his 21 picks this season -- second-most in the NFL to Eli Manning's 25 -- and four losses in his last five games for a 6-8 mark.

"I'm even more certain now than I was earlier that he could be a really good one,'' Mornhinweg told the Associated Press and other Jets reporters this week. "I don't think there's any question.''

Smith, who tumbled to the second round of the draft -- No. 39 overall -- was pressed into service when incumbent Mark Sanchez went down with a shoulder injury in preseason and has been wildly inconsistent all season. He's got only 10 TD passes to go along with his 21 interceptions, and five of those picks have been returned for touchdowns.

But Smith -- who will face the 4-10 Browns today at MetLife Stadium -- had the Jets out to a 5-4 start and engineered some fantastic finishes along the way. He became the first quarterback since the 1970 merger to lead four gamewinning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in his first seven outings. He also broke Sanchez's club record for passing yards by a rookie and defeated the liked of New England and New Orleans in his first nine games.

"He's got skill and ability," Mornhinweg, who's coached Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, said. "He's a bright young man. We've talked about this before, but he's got instincts. So he's got a lot of things, really good things, and they show. Now, from afar or if you're not really in it, it's probably hard to see the great progress. (But) he's certainly progressed.

Smith's 62.9 rating is last among starting quarterbacks and took a beating during a seven-game stretch in which he threw one TD pass against 11 interceptions. But many good quarterbacks had inauspicious starts including Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, who went 0-11 as a rookie in Dallas with eight TDs, 18 interceptions and a 55.7 rating. Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning threw 28 picks as a rookie and earned a 71.2 rating.

"(He's) taken some pretty good steps forward and then we've taken some steps back and then taken some steps forward," Mornhinweg said. "I felt like we had to restart almost a few weeks back."

Mornhinweg benched Smith in favor backup Matt Simms recently, but went back to him to let him work out the rookie kinks on the field. Over the last five games, he's thrown only two TDs and eight picks, but in the last two he's thrown two of each to go 1-1. He's also rushed for 94 yards and a TD on 11 carries over the last two outings and is third on the team with 274 rushing yards. He also leads with four rushing TDs.

"Everybody progresses at a different rate at really all positions, but particular the quarterback," Mornhinweg said. "There's a select few who come in seamlessly and are on, typically, fantastic football teams. There are others that, man alive, it might take a year or two. Shoot, there have been some really good quarterbacks where it's taken longer than that."

Jets coach Rex Ryan is also still bullish on his rookie quarterback, although the jury's still out as to whether or not they'll keep him as their starter for next season.

“Anytime you’re starting a rookie quarterback trying to adapt to this league, it’s not easy,” Ryan said on a conference call Wednesday. “Geno had to get used to the three-step, five-step and seven-step drops at the pro level. Ball security was certainly an issue. Are we still making mistakes? Absolutely, but I think he’s done a good job. You don’t want him to be so afraid of turning the ball over that he won’t pull the trigger.”

Smith, who's won over his teammates with a strong work ethics and good leadership skills, acknowledged the struggle it's been.

“I’ve had my ups and downs,” Smith said on a conference call. “This season for me has all been about progressing and getting better and just continuing to develop. I’m proud of myself for the way I’ve competed through the ups and downs and the leadership I’ve showcased to my teammates and the respect I’ve earned in that manner. I’m working extremely hard to get to the point where I can be a very productive player. I have full confidence I’ll do so.”

The Browns brought the West Virginia product to Berea for a pre-draft visit and coach Rob Chudzinski also traveled to Florida to work him out privately, along with offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Ultimately, the opted to stick with Brandon Weeden for another year instead of taking a chance on Smith or Florida State's EJ Manuel, who was drafted No. 16 overall by the Bills, the first quarterback taken.

General consensus in the organization was that the 2014 crop of quarterbacks was better and that they'd wait it out instead of half-solving their QB problem.

Instead, the Browns drafted edge-rusher Barkevious Mingo, who's second among NFL rookies with five sacks.

"We went down and spent time with Geno,” Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said. “I really like him as a person. I really like him as a player. He has a lot of things that he can do and do well. It’s a process for young quarterbacks to go through, and he’s in the middle of the process right now of learning and working to get better.”

Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who's prepared for many a rookie quarterback in his day, acknowledged that Smith has been a typical rookie.

"It’s a Leon McFadden story,'' said Horton. "If you’re a rookie quarterback or cornerback, teams tend to come after you, and he has had an inconsistent year. He’s looked good. They beat New Orleans lately, and the team follows him. If he's having a down game, they probably struggle to win, and when he’s playing well, it gives them an opportunity. But I think he’s having a typical rookie year, meaning it’s inconsistent.”

Smith hasn't had much help from a receiver standpoint. Leading receiver is Jeremy Kerley, who has only 33 catches, 413 yards and three TDs. The only player with four TD catches is tight end Jeff Cumberland. Tight end Kellen Winslow hasn't played much and has been limited to 27 catches and two TDs. Santonio Holmes, limited by foot and hamstring injuries, has only 18 receptions and one TD.

"A lot of his weapons have been down,'' said cornerback Joe Haden, who's questionable with a hip pointer. "He hasn’t really had A.J. (Green), the Josh Gordon. He hasn’t had those guys to throw it to. Santonio is hurt a lot. He’s a really, really good player. He just hasn’t had that many weapons to get the ball to. He’s doing the best he can. He’s getting better as the season progresses.''

Haden acknowledged that his eyes light up at the sight of Smith's 21 interceptions.

“Especially playing corner, you want opportunities,'' he said. "Twenty-one picks – I’m not trying to knock Geno at all, but that’s something that jumps out at you and makes you feel as a DB that you can get your hands on some of those balls.”

The Browns have struggled at times with mobile quarterbacks this season, and know they must contain Smith, who's 5-2 at home this season.

"He’s using his legs very well when he gets in trouble,'' said T.J. Ward. "He’s throwing some errant passes, but you can kind of expect that from a rookie. They try to keep it simple for him. He makes the simple plays when he needs to.”

Added Tashaun Gipson, who had two picks last week including one for a TD: “I think that Geno Smith is a capable quarterback. He can make the throws. Of course, he makes mistakes and on the back end you definitely want to take advantage of his mistakes that he’s going to make. Hopefully he gives us some balls, puts some the balls in the air. They’ve been controlling him a little bit, but hopefully come Sunday they let him air it out a little bit.”

Smith said he's not looking to make the Browns regret not drafting him, but they'd love to confirm they did the right thing.

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